Learning goals
We are learning to…
- describe significant instances of cooperation and conflict in Canada during this period
- identify a variety of significant individuals and groups in Canada during this period
- identify factors contributing to some key events or developments that occurred in and/or affected Canada between 1850-1890
- assess the credibility of relevant sources and information and communicate the results of our inquiries using appropriate vocabulary
Success criteria
I am able to…
- explore the causes and consequences of the Red River Resistance and the North‑West Resistance
- explain how western settlement affected the Métis and how key individuals responded
- explain why the North‑West Mounted Police were created and how they became the RCMP
- analyse the relationship between the RCMP and Indigenous Peoples today using a credible news source
Minds On
Attributes
In this learning activity, you will learn about the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance and analyze the impact of western settlement on the Métis. Then, you will explore the creation of the North-West Mounted Police and the conflicts that they were involved in. By analyzing these conflicts, you will consider the role the North-West Mounted Police had in the settlement and expansion of Canada.
Brainstorm
Think
If possible, with a partner, brainstorm and respond to the following questions:
- What attributes do you associate with the term “rebel”?
- What attributes do you associate with the term “patriot”?
Make a list of these attributes. Is there anything similar about these terms?
Consider the following questions.
- How would you define resistance? Rebellion?
- Are they the same or different?
- What role does power play in these definitions?
- What role does perspective play in these definitions?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Action
Resistance and rebellions
Let’s read the following two passages about the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance. While reading the passages, complete the following fillable and printable Métis Resistance: Historical Thinking Activity. You can also use another method of your choice to record your thinking.
Press the Activity button to access the Métis Resistance: Historical Thinking Activity.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)
Reading Time
Red River Resistance
The Red River Resistance (also known as the Red River Rebellion) was an uprising from 1869-1870 in the Red River Colony. In 1869, the Hudson’s Bay Company sold Rupert’s Land to the Dominion of Canada for $1.5 million. The amount of land in this transaction amounted to almost seven million acres, all without consulting Indigenous Peoples.
A map of historic Canada in 1870, including the newly-created province of Manitoba, as well as Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Quebec (formerly Lower Canada) and the large area called Northwest Territories (formerly Rupert's Land), which contained everything north of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. The route of the politicians and military personnel sent from Ontario to Manitoba to suppress the Métis resistance is marked with arrows, following a path from the labelled towns of Toronto, Collingwood, across the Great Lakes to Thunder Bay, through the Dawson Road trail and finally reaching Fort Garry.
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The Canadian government appointed William McDougall, an English-speaker, to govern the area now known as Manitoba. The Métis believed the Hudson’s Bay Company did not have the right to sell their land without asking them or getting their consent. The Métis people were Roman Catholic and spoke French. Many feared that their language, religion, and way of life would be taken away. They worried that new laws and settlers would destroy their traditions and culture.
Before the land transfer became official, Métis leader Louis Riel and his supporters blocked McDougall from entering the territory. Riel helped organize the National Committee of the Métis and formed a provisional, or temporary, government. This government was created to negotiate directly with the Canadian government and to make sure Métis rights were protected as Manitoba joined Canada.
The provisional government included both English and French speaking Métis. Together, they created a list of rights. These included bilingual schools, the right to elect their own government, and equal use of the English and French languages. These demands were sent to the Canadian government.
At the same time, Riel’s supporters arrested people who opposed the provisional government. One of these men was Thomas Scott, a government surveyor. Scott was later executed for treason. His death caused anger in Ontario, where many people called for Louis Riel to be arrested.
In 1870, the Manitoba Act was passed, and Manitoba became Canada’s fifth province. However, the government did not recognize Louis Riel or the Métis as the founders of the province.
Soon after Manitoba joined Confederation, many settlers from Ontario and Quebec moved into the region. Over time, they outnumbered the Métis. Many of the new settlers were hostile toward Métis efforts to protect their rights, and the Métis often faced harassment and violence.
In August 1870, the Canadian government sent the Red River Expeditionary Force, led by Colonel Garnet Wolseley, to take control of the region. When the troops arrived, Métis people were attacked and intimidated. Fearing violence, more than half of the Métis population left Manitoba for the Northwest Territories or the Dakota Territory. Louis Riel, warned that his life was in danger, fled to the United States.
Sources:
Beal, Bob. “Red River Expedition.” Red River Expedition | The Canadian Encyclopedia, The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/red-river-expedition.
Canadian Geographic. “Red River Resistance.” Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, Canadian Geographic, 5 June 2018, https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/red-river-resistance/.
Reading Time
North-West Resistance
The North-West Resistance (also known as the North-West Rebellion) was a five-month conflict in 1885 between the Canadian government and mainly the Métis and their First Nations allies, in what is present-day Saskatchewan and Alberta.
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The Métis continued to struggle as the government failed to keep its promises about land ownership and political representation. At the same time, bison herds were disappearing due to overhunting and settlement. This threatened the Métis way of life, which depended on the bison.
Because of these problems, Métis leaders asked Louis Riel to return from the United States to help them. Riel and the Métis sent petitions to Prime Minister John A. Macdonald asking for provincial status and land rights. When the government did not respond, tensions grew and conflict followed.
In March 1885, the Métis formed another provisional government in the community of Duck Lake. About 100 North-West Mounted Police officers and armed civilians arrived to negotiate with them. The meeting quickly turned violent, and shots were fired. The Battle of Duck Lake ended with injuries and deaths on both sides.
The conflict soon escalated. The federal government sent more than 5,000 soldiers to the region using the new railway. The battle took place at Batoche, a Métis settlement. After four days of fighting, the Métis were defeated by the much larger Canadian force.
Louis Riel surrendered and was charged with treason. His trial divided the nation as many in English Canada saw him as a rebel, while many in French Canada saw him as a hero because he defended the rights of the Métis. Ultimately, he was found guilty, but the jury recommended mercy. They feared his execution would bring conflict to French Canada. However, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald refused to pardon (forgive) Riel for his actions and he was executed on November 16th, 1885.
Key contributions
The North-West Resistance was a key moment in Canadian history, driven by several individuals. In this section, you will choose one key figure to explore and present your findings in a creative biographical poster.
1. Pick one of the individuals involved in the North-West Resistance from the following list:
- Gabriel Dumont
- Big Bear
- Joseph Ouellette
- Poundmaker
2. Next, research about their contributions and involvement.
Using a reputable news site (for example: national, regional, city news; news websites, etc.) or Indigenous news sites, research information about your chosen individual.
3. Create a biographical poster in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Use the following checklist to ensure that you have included all of the necessary details in your poster
Does my poster include:
The North-West Mounted Police
After the Red River Resistance, the Canadian government was concerned about reports of conflict and illegal whisky trading. In response, it created the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1873 to restore order in the Northwest Territories, which at the time included Manitoba, parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the northern regions.
The NWMP were modeled after the Royal Irish Constabulary and wore a distinctive uniform: a scarlet tunic and blue trousers. Applicants had to be men between 18 and 40 years old and able to read English or French. Many applied, and those with military or police experience were often accepted.
Description
Image 1: North-West Mounted Police - Officers of “B” Division Dawson, seated, wearing black officer's tunics, riding crop, binocular case, circa 1900.
Image 2: A historical map of northern Canada showing the area of the Northwest Territories. It shows the territory stretching across the northern part of the country, including lands that are now divided among Canada's three northern territories.
The NWMP had many responsibilities. They enforced bans on alcohol, collected taxes, and upheld treaties on behalf of the government. They also enforced the Indian Act, which aimed to force Indigenous Peoples to assimilate to the government’s idea of Canadian society. This included enforcing laws, carrying out orders to remove children from their families and send them to residential schools.
The North-West Mounted Police's history is complex. For settlers and the government, they represented safety and order. For many Indigenous communities, they were a symbol of a government taking control of their lands and limiting their freedom, culture and livelihood.
The Indian Act
The Indian Act is a set of federal laws created in 1876 that addressed Indigenous culture, language, and identity. The laws were created to assimilate Indigenous Peoples into government's view of Canadian life and values.
Becoming the RCMP
In 1920, the RCMP was created out of the North-West Mounted Police. Its headquarters moved from Regina to Ottawa, and they were given jurisdiction over all of Canada.
Today, the RCMP serves as the main policing force in eight provinces and three territories. It is also their job to protect high levels of government, fight terrorism and organized crime, and keep the borders of our country safe.
While women have been employed in various roles in the RCMP since the 1890s, they were not accepted as uniformed officers until 1974.
Military
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a proud military heritage.
Check out some of the conflicts in which the RCMP has been involved in.
Press the following tabs to learn more about the RCMP’s contributions to historical events
The North-West Mounted Police fought in the Battle of Duck Lake during the North-West Rebellion. Although outnumbered more than three to one, the 56 NWMP and their volunteers managed to retreat. They lost the battle at Duck Lake but would eventually join forces with militia sent from the east to defeat the Métis at the Battle of Batoche.
The Second African War, also known as the Boer War, was the first time Canadian troops were sent to fight overseas. Tensions had been growing in South Africa for many years before war broke out between Britain and two smaller republics.
The NWMP attracted many skilled mounted soldiers, and many NWMP members were recruited into a new unit called the Canadian Mounted Rifles. This unit performed well during the war and became known for its strong scouting skills.
When Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, Canada was automatically at war because it was part of the British Empire. Many members of the NWMP wanted to serve overseas and fight in Europe.
However, the Canadian government wanted the NWMP to remain in Canada. They were needed to protect the railway and maintain security during the war. This decision was unpopular with many officers. As a result, once their service with the NWMP ended, many joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force so they could fight overseas.
Historical thinking activity
After reading through the passages and taking your notes, check out the completed Métis Resistance: Historical Thinking Activity.
Access the following printable completed Métis Resistance: Historical Thinking Activity document.
Press the Activity button to access the Métis Resistance: Historical Thinking Activity Completed.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Consolidation
Opinions and thoughts
Let’s continue to learn more about the Indigenous and Métis resistance during this time period and into contemporary times.
In the form of a well-constructed paragraph, choose one of the following topics, and use evidence throughout this learning activity to support your opinion.
Press the following tabs to learn more about each topic.
Both “resistance” and “rebellion” have been used to describe the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance . Why do you think different groups use different terms? What might impact their decision to use “resistance” or “rebellion”?
Revisit the brainstorm activity from the Minds On section. Consider the attributes you associate with the terms “rebel” and “patriot.” Based on your learning, which term do you think the government is more likely to use to describe the people who participated in the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? Which term do you think the Métis are more likely to use?
What similarities are there between the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? How did these two events unite the Métis, yet at the same time bring them into conflict with settlers and the Canadian government?
How did Confederation and the settlement of the West impact the lives and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples?
Why is a historical perspective important in understanding the Red River Resistance and the North-West Resistance? How can different points of view help us understand the past?
Create your paragraph in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable document, or in a method of your choice. Press the Activity button to access Historical Perspective: My Opinion Paragraph organizer.
Press the Activity button to access the Historical Perspective: My Opinion Paragraph organizer.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Use the following checklist to ensure that you have included all of the necessary details in your paragraph.
Your paragraph should contain the following:
RCMP and Indigenous Peoples today
Although the RCMP helped to expand the Dominion of Canada, in recent years greater scrutiny has turned to the relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous Peoples.
The RCMP, as a force, is aware of their need to rekindle trust and strengthen the relations with Indigenous communities in Canada. They are working to acknowledge and learn from their past, analyze their current relationship, and work with Indigenous communities to strengthen their relationship in the future.
What is the current relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous communities?
Research
Using a reputable news site (for example: national, regional, city news; news websites, etc.) or Indigenous news sites, research a recent article relating to the RCMP and Indigenous communities today.
Complete the fillable and printable Research Activity in your notebook or using the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.